White Sox GM sounds off

After watching the Chicago White Sox’s bullpen blow leads in consecutive games to the Chicago Cubs, general manager Kenny Williams sounded off Sunday, saying the team’s overall play has been “embarrassing.”

The bullpen gave up nine runs in a combined 2 1/3 innings Friday and Saturday, squandering seventh and eighth inning leads respectively in back-to-back losses at Wrigley Field.

“Everything is irritating me,” a visibly upset Williams said. “I hope something changes. I hope we go out there and play to our capabilities to a much more consistent level. This is embarrassing.”

In the 10 games before Sunday, the White Sox’s bullpen was 1-3 with a 10.64 ERA and three blown saves, giving up 15 walks and 36 hits in than span.

Williams said he wasn’t afraid to shake up the roster but said that isn’t the problem right now.

•The White Sox activated Jim Thome from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Ryan Sweeney to Triple-A Charlotte.

Thome, on the DL since April 29 with a strained muscle in his rib cage, was called back from a rehab assignment with Charlotte.

Hamilton sent home

Rookie outfielder Josh Hamilton was sent back to Cincinnati by the Reds to be checked out by team doctors one day after he was diagnosed with a stomach ailment.

The 25-year-old was taken to Lutheran Hospital at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday. The club said he had gastroenteritis, an inflammation or infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

Howard set to return

N.L. MVP Ryan Howard, on the disabled list with a left quadriceps strain, fielded grounders in Philadelphia and is on target to return to the Philadelphia Phillies lineup later in the week.

Howard said he felt fine after taking ground balls for nearly 45 minutes before the Phillies beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3, and planned to play at Atlanta when he’s activated from the disabled list on Friday.